Szczesny has been deemed fit to start against Manchester UnitedGetty Images

Arsenal have received a massive injury boost in the form of Wojciech Szczesny who has recovered from illness and is expected to take his position in their crucial FA Cup Quarter final tie against Manchester United, according to the Mirror.

The goalkeeper was dropped following an ignominious display against Southampton on New Year's Day and has not started in a single Premier League game thus far. David Ospina has taken his place and has been doing a commendable job for the Gunners with a superb performance against Everton.

The Colombian came off the line to thwart Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian had gone clean through on goal and also made a couple of crucial saves to keep the Gunners in the game.

However, Arsene Wenger has always bestowed faith in his reserve keeper to lead their cup tie, as was the case with Lukasz Fabianski last season. Szczesny has a chance to prove his detractors wrong with a good performance against a team which the Gunners have found very hard to counter in recent years.

Their last win at Old Trafford came in September 2006 and since then the north London club have lost nine games and managed to draw just one.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Paulista will miss the tie at Old Trafford after he picked up a hamstring injury against Queens Park Rangers, while Jack Wilshere is still not back after being operated for a minor ankle injury.

However, Aaron Ramsey is back into the side after coming on as a late substitute against QPR in the midweek. Francis Coquelin, who had to wear a mask to protect his nose is also expected to start for the Gunners.

It is a major game for both teams and will provide a huge psychological boost to the winner in the race for the top four. Louis van Gaal has already stated that he values the Champions League more than the Cup, but is expected to field a competitive team, especially with no fixtures scheduled in the midweek.